Freshwater UK, which is listed as the fastestgrowing regional PR network in the industry's latest league table, already has a base in Birmingham.

Its purchase of CLEAR is the latest of a string of acquisitions, which have taken the group to a total turnover of £6 million and a staff of 64.

CLEAR was founded in 1991 by John Underwood, a former News at Ten presenter and ITN home affairs correspondent, who has also served as Labour's director of communications.

The CLEAR business, which has annual sales of £1.1 million and employs nine staff, was owned by Mr Underwood and his co-director and fellow shareholder Lesley Sargeant, who joined CLEAR in 1996. Mr Underwood is joining the Freshwater board as an executive director following the deal.

Martineau Johnson corporate law partner Adam McGiveron, who led his firm's team in providing legal advice to Freshwater, said: "This is another acquisition by a group which is making returns from being one of the leading consolidators in a fragmented market."

Freshwater bought its now Birmingham subsidiary a year ago from founder directors Edward Carter and Anne Parry which then traded as Quantum PR.